How to Cut Part of Plant to Place in Water

If you're looking to propagate or grow new plants, water propagation is a great way to start. It's cheap, easy, and effective. In this article, we will show you how to cut part of a plant to place in water successfully.

Choose the Right Plant

Not all plants can be propagated in water successfully. Some plants are more suited to being propagated with a cutting than others. Generally, plants that have soft, fleshy stems like succulents and herbs are good candidates for water propagation. Hardwood plants like trees are not suitable.

Make sure the plant you're propagating is healthy and has no signs of disease or pest infestation. This ensures that the cutting will have the best chance of survival.

Prepare Your Equipment

Before taking the cutting, gather your equipment. Here's what you'll need:

Scissors or a sharp knife

A clean glass jar or vase

Cool, clean water

Rooting hormone (optional)

Make sure your scissors or knife are sharp and clean. Dirty equipment can transfer disease to your plant and reduce its chances of survival.

Take the Cutting

With your equipment ready, it's time to take the cutting. Here are the steps:

Identify a healthy stem on the plant that has several leaves. Choose a stem that is at least 4-6 inches long.

Use the scissors or knife to cut the stem just below the node (where the leaf attaches to the stem).

Remove any leaves that are below the node. This will help the cutting focus its energy on growing roots, not leaves.

If desired, dip the cut end of the stem into rooting hormone. Rooting hormone is not necessary but can help stimulate root growth.

Place the Cutting in Water

With your cutting ready, it's time to place it in water. Here's how to do it:

Fill your glass jar or vase with cool, clean water. The water should cover at least an inch of the stem.

Place the cutting into the water, making sure the node is submerged in the water.

Put the jar or vase in a bright spot but out of direct sunlight.

Change the water every few days to keep it clean and oxygenated.

Caring for the Cutting

While your cutting is in water, it needs proper care to ensure it grows roots successfully. Here are some tips:

Make sure the cutting stays in a bright spot but out of direct sunlight. Too much sun can cause the cutting to dry out.

If necessary, add more water to the jar or vase to keep the node submerged. The water should be at room temperature.

After a few weeks, check the cutting for root growth. Once the roots are 1-2 inches long, it's time to transfer the cutting to soil.

Conclusion

By following the steps above, you can successfully cut part of a plant to place in water and propagate new plants. Remember to choose the right plant, prepare your equipment, take the cutting, place it in water, and care for it properly. With a little patience and care, you can grow new plants to enjoy in your home or garden.